FNL Preview: Marceline Tigers v Knox County Eagles

The Marceline Tigers open the 2014 football season on the road at Edina, as they do battle with the Knox County Eagles. Last season, the Eagles finished second in the Tri-Rivers Conference, trailing only Milan, who the Tigers defeated in the playoffs.

The Marceline Tigers open the 2014 football season on the road at Edina, as they do battle with the Knox County Eagles. Last season, the Eagles finished second in the Tri-Rivers Conference, trailing only Milan, who the Tigers defeated in the playoffs.

The Eagles are coached by Alex VanDelft, and averaged 26.8 points per game last season, and run out of a Pistol with eight returning starters.

“They are a team that runs the pistol, or a variation of the pistol out of a split backfield,” explained Marceline Head Coach Kent O’Laughlin. “They have a key running back who returns from last year, [Brady Moubry, number 33], who is their bread-and-butter man. You have to know where he is at, because the ball will be coming his way.”

Last season, Moubry had over 1400 yards on the ground, and is still expected to be the featured weapon in the Knox County offense.

Coach O’Laughlin knows that stopping Moubry will be key to the Tigers success in their opening contest of this new season.

“Number one, we have to read our keys,” said Coach O’Laughlin. “We have to meet their running back and wrap him up. He has respectable quickness. They like to throw the ball, especially on short routes. You cannot play off of their receivers, or they will nickel and dime it down the field on you.”

Last season, the Eagles gave up an average of 26.5 points per game. While the scouting reports say Knox runs out of a 4-3, Coach O’Laughlin noted something different to the Leader.

“They are going to play a variation of a 4-3 Monster or a 5-2,” explained Coach O’Laughlin. “It will look like a five-man front with some 4-3 principles. It is one of those things where you are going to have to adjust to things on the fly.”

As far as the Marceline offense, Coach O’Laughlin is expecting an improvement over the rainy slugfest that manifested itself at the Jamboree.

“The first thing is that we have to quit guessing on assignments and learn them,” said Coach O’Laughlin. “That’s the number one thing, learn your assignment. We have to work to get that done, and take care of the football. We had too many turnovers at the Jamboree.”

Kickoff for this week one non-conference battle is set for 7 p.m. in Edina at Knox County High School.